GENERAL INFORMATION
New York city is the largest city in the United States, with its metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. In 1898 a new charter was adopted, making the surrounding cities into Greater New York, a metropolis that consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens. With over 8.2 million residents within an area of 304.8 square miles, New York City is the most densely populated major city in the United States.
The Dutch founded Fort Amsterdam in 1625 and it later developed into the town and trading post of New Amsterdam which is the present-day site of Wall Street. The British captured the colony during the Second Anglo-Dutch War and governed it as the Province of New York. After the Colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, it was occupied by the British and became one of their command centers during the war. In 1783 the Treaty of Paris was signed and the last British troops stationed in the Thirteen Colonies departed.
Governor DeWitt Clinton championed the building a canal to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie – thus all the Great Lakes and the interior. The Erie Canal was finished in 1825 and it opened up vast areas of the Great Lakes and the American Midwest to commerce and settlement. This event enabled New York City to prosper and surpass Philadelphia as the cultural and economic center of the United States.

TRANSPORTATION
NYC Transit Authority: (718) 330-1234
Port Authority Bus Terminal: (800) 247-7433New York City Subway/MTA: runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 422 subway stations located throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.Airtran JFK: comprised of a loop route that connects all MTA subway terminals, Long Island Rail Road, and local buses, providing easy transportation to and from JFK airport. Airtran will also take you from Newark (EWR) to Penn Station.Taxi charges: $2.50 upon entering, 40¢ additional 1/5 mile. $45 flat fee from JFK Airport to Manhattan. $24-$28 form La Guardia to Manhattan. Carey Limo and Transportation: (800) 284-0909 (provide buses to all points from JFK)

ATTRACTIONS
Ground Zero, site of the former World Trade Center Twin Towers: In December 2001 New York City opened a viewing platform at Fulton and Church Streets. By early 2002 there should be four platforms that accommodate 400 people each. Open: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Free tickets, available from the South Street Seaport ticket booth at Pier 16 in lower Manhattan, must be presented prior to entering the viewing areas. Tickets are not available for a specific viewing time. Two tickets per person are distributed on a first-come first-served basis for the next available viewing time. Ticket booth opens: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. At present you may obtain tickets for same day viewing usually noon to 8 p.m., or for the 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. viewing the next morning. Located to the north by Vesey Street, to the west by the West Side Highway, to the south by Liberty Street, and to the east by Church Street.
Central Park: 59th St. to 110th St., & from Fifth Ave. to Central Park West. (212) 360-3456. 843-acre landscaped wonder in the middle of NYC. Great for skaters, runners, joggers, horseback riders, bikers, bird watchers, nature lovers, etc. The park includes lakes, a skating rink, miniature golf, tennis courts, softball fields, a swimming pool & carousel.
Central Park Zoo: 5th Ave. at E. 64th St., (212) 861-6030. Open everyday. Save your ticket for Tisch Children's Zoo. The Great Lawn, behind the Metropolitan Museum is the place to suntan, toss frisbees or wait for free Shakespeare tickets.
Bronx Zoo : 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx (718) 367-1010. Monday-Friday 10 am-5 pm. Weekends, 10 am-5:30pm. Admission: Adults-$15, Children-$11, Seniors-$13.
The Empire State Building: 350 Fifth Ave. (212) 736-3100. 80 mile visibility lets you to see landmarks in all five boroughs, plus Long Island & N. J. Observation tower open daily: 9:30 am-12 am(last tickets at 11:25 pm). Admission: Adults-$17.61, Youth (12-17)-$15.76, Children-$12.07, Seniors-$15.76.
Grand Central Terminal: 42nd St. (Lexington & Vanderbilt) World famous train station, serving commuters of NY and Connecticut, plus NYC subway lines. Stop at the famous Oyster Bar or simply enjoy the musicians in the magnificent Concourse.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts: Columbus Ave. between West 62nd & 66th St. (212) 875-5350. 14-acre complex of performing arts and educational institutions.
New York Public Library: Fifth Ave. at 42nd St. (212) 930-0800. Beaux Arts landmark makes millions of books available to locals & visitors. Visit its cathedral-like third floor reading room.
New York Stock Exchange: 20 Broad St., (at Wall St.) (212) 656-5168. Famous U.S. exchange, symbol of New York's financial power. Tickets available for free tours that include stops at the visitors' gallery overlooking trading floor. Monday-Friday 9:15 am to 4 pm.
Rockefeller Center: 47th to 51st St. between Fifth & Sixth Ave. (212) 632-3975. Art Deco complex with upscale shops & restaurants. Tour NBC studios & Radio City Music Hall. In winter try the ice skating rink.
St. Patrick's Cathedral: Fifth Ave. at East 50th St. (212) 753-2261. The largest Catholic church in the U. S.
Staten Island Ferry Terminal: at the foot of Whitehall Street (next to Battery Park) (212) 806-6940. Leaving Manhattan, go to the top deck to view the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, etc.
Statue of Liberty (212) 363-3200. Take ferry from Battery Park in lower Manhattan. Given by France in 1884, there is no substitute for a visit to this United States symbol. Admission to statue itself is free, but to get to Liberty Island there is a charge. Open daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
United Nations Building: First Ave. and 48th St. (212) 963-1234. Take a 45-minute tour led by representatives of member countries.